Historic Topeka Country Club completed an extensive golf course renovation and enhancement project in the later summer 2023 that was led by Kansas-based architect Todd Clark and golf historian and designer Ron Whitten. The 4.5 million dollar project focused on modernizing and improving the 83-year-old golf course.

The project marks the first major renovation of the iconic Perry Maxwell-designed golf course since it originally debuted in 1940. Thomas Bendelow designed the Club’s first 9-hole course which opened in 1906 that was updated in 1921 by Langford and Moreau to an 18-hole facility.

“In remodeling Topeka Country Club for the 21st Century, we seek to install as much Maxwell authenticity as we can,” said Clark. “His wonderfully contoured greens are being preserved while reclaiming a few front and back corners to recapture lost hole locations. The bunkers protecting the greens will all be new and be shaped in a Maxwell style with playable bright white sand and contain the most efficient drainage component. We’re also adding fairway bunkers to a number of holes where none previously existed, to add both definition and challenge to certain tee shots and second shots.” 

Clark and Whitten’s design enhancements include the addition of a beautiful cascading water feature to the 15th hole that feeds a pond in front of the 17th green – Maxwell’s original Topeka Country Club design did not include any water hazards. The new water feature is similar to what Maxwell created at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition, the removal of invasive trees helped improve agronomic conditions, while also enhancing the long-range views across the golf course, revealing the magnificent rolling topography of Topeka Country Club.

The 2023 course renovation is the latest in a series of improvements aimed at breathing new life into the renowned Club. In 2019, Topeka Country Club unveiled an updated clubhouse and state-of-the-art wellness center following a $7.5 million renovation and expansion. The multiphase project began in September 2017 with completion in January 2019 and touched on every aspect of Club life, including a new pool, dining, banquet facilities, fitness, golf shop and day-to-day operations. 

Your Professional Golf Staff

 
Levi Lambing, PGA
Head Golf Professional
[email protected]  

Jared Burns
Assistant Golf Professional
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Nathaniel Oliver
Assistant Golf Professional
[email protected]